Found A Homeless Billionaire Husband for Christmas – Episode 13
“Victoria, I know…” Simon began. There was something serious in his voice, but she was already smiling at the explanation she had found for him. She did not need him to defend himself.
“No, not an ordinary guy at all.” She meant it affectionately. The pattern seemed obvious to her now, even if it had taken until this unexpected comfort to put it into words.
“You’re my lucky charm.” Whenever he was with her, things seemed to go in the right direction. She offered the thought without realizing that he might have been preparing to tell her something entirely different.
For a moment, the cabin seemed to support her conclusion. They were going to Texas together, the trouble at the counter behind them. She could let herself enjoy one part of this complicated journey.
Then the aircraft jolted. Victoria’s attention snapped away from Simon and toward the movement beneath her. The comfort of first class did nothing to keep fear from tightening its hold.
“This is why I hate flying.” The words came quickly. She tried to steady herself, but waiting for another movement made it difficult to think about anything else.
“Hey. Just breathe.” Simon turned toward her. His voice was close and measured, giving her something more immediate to concentrate on than the uncertain motion of the plane.
The captain announced unexpected turbulence. Passengers should remain seated until they were through it. The explanation named what was happening without making Victoria feel ready for the next jolt.
Simon asked her to close her eyes and listen to him. She did not have to keep watching the cabin. There was something she could do now besides anticipate another frightening movement.
He began speaking about his nights on the street. Thunderstorms, snow, even heat waves: he described weather that made getting through the darkness a struggle. Victoria followed the sound of his voice.
There had been nights when he wondered whether he would make it through, he told her. His account drew her attention away from the aircraft and toward a hardship she could imagine without having to endure it now.
He had held on to hope that better things were waiting. He did not know exactly what they would be, or who. The uncertainty had not prevented that hope from helping him through.
Victoria listened with her eyes closed. The turbulence had not vanished, but it was no longer the only thing she could notice. Simon’s words gave her a sequence to follow when the movement offered none.
Then he had met someone generous and fun. Someone he believed could turn his life around. The story moved from cold nights and endurance toward a person he was describing with unmistakable warmth.
“That person’s you, Victoria.” What she had thought of as a little food and help had clearly meant more to him. He spoke as though her place in the story was something certain.
He said her name again. She had grown quiet beside him, her eyes still closed. The frightened interruptions had stopped, leaving his voice to settle into the calm it had helped her find.
Simon remained near her. He had not explained who he was, but he had told her something about what she meant to him. Even without an answer, the admission changed the quality of the quiet between them.
“This is just the beginning, Victoria,” he said softly. “I’m going to give you the best of everything this world has to offer.” The promise remained beside her as the journey carried them toward Texas.